MARCH 19TH

POOR RICHARD'S ALMANACK

Some Worth it argues, a Friend's Worth to know;Virtue to own the Virtue of a Foe.

— Benjamin Franklin,1751

AMERICANREVOLUTION.ORG
British Light Infantry
1778

This song was published in the Royal Gazette,
at New York, with the accompanying remarks: "Observing in
a late paper a song written for the British Light Infantry, 1
introduced with a hint that they had not hitherto received their
merited tribute from the muses, I take the liberty of making
them the tender of a second musical offering, which, though never
yet published, has been frequently sung and re-echoed, in loyal
companies, for many months past in this city; nor will the offering,
perhaps, be the less welcome, for being presented in a plain,
unornamented dress, and by the hand of a loyal American refugee."
The song was adapted to the tune, "Black Sloven."

BRITISH LIGHT INFANTRY.

FOR battle prepared in their country's just
cause,
Their king to avenge and support all his laws;
As fierce as a tiger, as swift as the roe,
The British Light Infantry rush on their foe.

Though rebels unnumber'd oppose their career,
Their hearts are undaunted; they're strangers to fear;
No obstacles hinder; resistless they go,
And death and destruction attend every blow.

'Cross the deep-gullied vale, up the mountain's
steep side,
Through the rough foaming river's impetuous tide,
O'er the fortified redoubt, close wedged in array,
Regardless of safety they follow their prey.

The alarm of the drum and the cannon's loud
roar;
The musket's quick flash, but inflames them the more.
No dangers appal, for they fear no control,
But glory and conquest inspires every soul.

Whenever their foe stands arrang'd in their
sight,
With ardor impatient they pant for the fight;
Rout, havoc, confusion they spread through the field,
And rebellion and treason are forcèd to yield.

1 British Light Infantry. The song mentioned
here was published in a Philadelphia paper, but is unfit for
present publication.